From Africa to Scotland

While Dave and I were waiting for our bikes to arrive from Kenya, we spent the time staying with our friends Rachel, Andy and their son, Francis, 10, in Edinburgh, Scotland. We were bummed not to have our bikes in this beautiful country as we couldn’t go off exploring the twisty roads lined with their world-famous stone fences, but we did get the chance to go climbing, hiking and camping during our two-week stay. Dave and I were pretty wimpy with the cold winds of Scotland. After coming from Africa, we didn’t leave the house without a toque. I had to borrow a sweater from Rachel to add some layers as all our stuff was with the bikes, including my beloved down jacket. We only had our carry-on luggage with us and lived in the same clothes more or less for two-weeks.

I wonder why Rachel kept asking if we wanted to do any laundry?

During our visit, we also took the opportunity to do a presentation of our trip at a BMW dealer in Dalkeith. In return they serviced our bikes, which was much appreciated after 12,000 km (7,500 mi) on dusty African roads!

Here are some pics of our travels in and around Scotland.

The Edinburgh International Climbing Area is Europe’s largest climbing gym. We spent two Sundays here climbing with Andy while Francis took a youth climbing course.

Dave and Andy at the climbing gym.

Francis doing some hard-core bouldering moves.A nice hiking spot inside the city of Edinburgh.Can’t stop this kid from bouldering!Beach walk near Edinburgh.I really got into the stone fences in the U.K. So much labour goes into these walls.A hike up a mountain I forget the name of.We had amazing weather during our two-week stay in Scotland. Kind of unheard of!It was exceptionally windy at the top but we all managed to hide behind this rock. In the direct sun, it was very warm. Everyone except Francis had a nap while he was launching off the rocks around us telling us he was bored 🙂Another one of my favourite features in the U.K. This one was in the mountain area surrounding Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles.Crazy Andy jumping into the ice cold stream near a place we camped.Andy climbing a route he eyed up without a guide book. When Dave and I followed we got completely trashed. At home, Andy looked the route up in his guidebook and it was a 5.10c, not easy.Dave has a go.I asked Dave to get this photo out the car window while we were driving by with Andy. It’s rape seed and despite its unfortunate name, it is beautiful.I gave Rachel some of the cinnamon, cloves and cardamon that was given to us by Rose from Tanzania when we stayed with her and Peter in Moshi. Rose had collected it all by hand and laid it out to dry while we were staying there. I remarked that it smelled amazing and I loved it and she gave us a huge bag of it when we left. Once we’d gotten our bikes delivered, all my luggage in the pannier where I stored the bag smelled great.

Next post: riding through England.

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From Africa to Scotland. It must be so incredible to see how much changes with geography. I have always wanted to go to Scotland, and now I can dream of it through your stories!
Love to both of you xooxoxox